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Chapter 4

When she woke the following day she could hear the rain lashing against the window, and feel the ship heaving and rolling in the swell. The dreadful weather continued all day, confining her indoors with only her books and sewing for company, and she thanked her lucky stars that Captain Smollett had offered her the run of his cabin, at least it was less claustrophobic even if she did miss her daily stroll around the deck. Much to her relief, she didn't seem to be bothered by sea-sickness: that would have made the day completely intolerable.

By the time they sat down for dinner the rain had stopped and the howling of the wind had died down considerably. Her father in law seemed completely unaffected, eating and dozing his way through the meal as usual, and the captain was his usual charming self.

She found herself completely mesmerised by his velvet blue eyes, and her gaze was continually moving between them and his pouting lips. She wondered what it would be like to feel them pressed against hers and looked away in embarrassment, afraid he might guess what she was thinking.

After dinner, he made to escort her back to her cabin as usual, but she hesitated in the corridor for a second and he raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"Do you think maybe we could go up on deck, just for a few minutes? I'm so desperate for some fresh air and the rain seems to have eased off."

He inclined his head in assent and proffered his arm.

"The calm before the storm, I fear."

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She could think of fewer activities more pleasant than strolling around the deck at night, her arm tucked safely through his. It was no longer a hive of activity with most of the crew below decks eating, drinking and gambling, but they passed a man on watch who nodded respectfully to them. Without turning round she knew his eyes were following their progress with interest and she shivered, glad she was in the company of the captain.

The deck was still slippery underfoot even though the rain had stopped, but she felt very secure with his solid bulk next to her. The strong breeze whipped her hair round her face and she breathed deeply, filling her lungs gratefully with sea air. Patchy, ragged clouds scudded overhead and then suddenly the moon was revealed, hanging low in the sky and bathing everything in a silvery glow. Enchanted, she took a couple of steps away from him.

"Oh. It's so beautiful, isn't it?"

As she turned back she lost her footing and would have fallen if he hadn't stepped forwards swiftly and caught her. She gripped his shoulders, his muscular arms holding her close as they gazed intently at each other, their faces a mere inch or so apart. His eyes dropped to her lips and time seemed to stand still as she held her breath, so sure he was going to kiss her that her lips parted in readiness and her eyelids flickered shut. And then he released her, and her eyes flew open again in surprise.

"I think I should get you back inside now, madam. There's a storm brewing."

As if to prove him right, lightning flickered in the far distance and she felt the first few spots of rain against her face. A shudder ran through her, and he felt her unease, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry yourself, lass. This is one of the soundest ships I've sailed on, she'll withstand pretty much any kind of weather."

She took his arm again, swallowing nervously.

"I don't much care for thunder and lightning, Sir."

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By the time she made her way to bed later the full force of the storm had been unleashed upon them, and the ship was lurching dramatically. She sat with the covers pulled up around her neck, her arms hugging her knees, almost jumping out of her skin at every rumble and flash.

Suddenly, the lightning flared so brightly that the whole cabin was illuminated, and there was an enormous clap of thunder directly overhead. Terrified almost out of her wits, she leapt out of bed and wrenched the connecting door open, dashing into the captain's cabin without any thought for propriety. He leapt up from the table where he'd been sitting poring over charts, his eyes wide in surprise at the vision before him. She was clad only in a thin cotton nightdress, her dark hair falling loose around her shoulders, and she covered her face with her hands as another flash of lightning lit up the sky outside the window.

"Oh, please … make it stop …"

The next thing she knew she was wrapped tightly in his arms and she clung onto him in desperation, her cheek pressed to the smooth 'V' of chest revealed by his open necked shirt as she listened to the steady reassuring beat of his heart.

"Shhh, now. Nothing to be afraid of, sweetheart, it's passing now. All be over soon …"

One hand stroked her hair and the other held her against his chest, his voice gentle and soothing in her ear, and she felt herself gradually starting to calm under his tender ministrations.

As her panic began to subside, she became aware of the hardness of the body pressed against her and the strength of the arms enfolding her. She breathed in his clean masculine scent feeling her head start to spin, and she couldn't help herself, giving in to the desire to press a hot open-mouthed kiss to his warm skin.

She felt him gasp and stiffen in surprise, and he moved back, his hands gripping her by the shoulders, his eyes searching hers.

"What are you doing, Sophie?"

His voice was gruff, and she could sense the internal battle going on inside him as want warred with chivalry, passion with restraint. She swallowed nervously and took a deep breath, realising she would have to take the lead, he was far too much of a gentleman. Reaching a shaking hand towards him, she stoked his cheek before running a finger slowly along his lower lip, and he groaned.

"Be careful, lass. I'm only human and the flesh is weak …"

She could feel him shaking with repressed desire. Slowly, deliberately, she looked down at his crotch and then back up to meet his gaze brazenly, a challenge in her dark eyes.

"Not too weak I hope, Sir …"

His eyes widened in surprise before his defences finally crumbled and his mouth claimed hers in a bruising kiss, desperate, demanding, possessive, taking her breath away. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pressed herself against him, feeling him hard against her hip.

When he eventually broke the kiss, she was flushed and panting and a fire was raging in her blood. She looked up at him seductively from under lowered lashes.

"Take me to bed, Alexander."

It was the first time she'd used his Christian name, and it felt right.

"Sophie, we shouldn't. I can't …"

His voice cracked, and she knew he was lost as she reached down to squeeze the obvious bulge in his trousers.

"Oh, I think you can …"

A thrill ran through her as he swung her up into his arms and carried her over to the bed, laying her gently down on the covers, her hair fanning out over the pillow. She pulled his head down for another passionate kiss, feeling the sweet ache start to build between her thighs. His lips dropped to feast on her neck and she sighed in bliss, tipping her head to one side to give him greater access. One hand moved slowly up her body to fondle a breast while his mouth sought the other, sucking on its sensitive peak through the thin cotton of her nightdress. She gasped in surprise.

"Oh! Alexander … don't stop …"

He raised his head, eyes a steely blue, his voice gravelly with lust.

"I need to see you, sweetheart."

She tugged the nightdress up her body and he helped her to drag it over her head before sitting back and drinking her in, his gaze raking over her hungrily. She blushed under his intense scrutiny, but he lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly on the lips.

"Beautiful …"

His fingers skimmed lightly down her arms and back up over her stomach, his touch featherlight, and she fell back onto the bed, shivering with pleasure. His mouth fell to torture an erect nipple again, and she moaned as he grazed it with his teeth, her body arching up towards him.

One hand moved to her inner thigh, his long fingers stroking the soft skin as she parted her legs wantonly, desperate to feel his touch where she was most sensitive. His thumb reached its target, and she whimpered as he began to rub gently, her hips bucking up towards his hand, her body now one flame of need.

"Oh God … want you … can't wait …"

He stood, and she watched as he stripped his shirt off and shed his breeches, standing in front of her naked for the first time. He was a fine figure of a man: tall with broad shoulders and incredibly long legs, and her eyes widened at the sight of his erect manhood. It appeared her husband had been somewhat lacking in that department, judging by the vision before her. She wriggled wantonly, holding out a hand to him, and he took it without hesitation, too far aroused now to have any further scruples.

He settled between her legs and positioned himself, sliding home smoothly as she gasped in delight, her fingers digging into his shoulders. Oh God, she was so tight and wet and willing, and it had been too long since he'd been with a woman. He paused for a second to regain control of his body, and she raked her nails down his back, rubbing herself against him lasciviously. He groaned.

"Carry on doing that, sweetheart, and this could be over very quickly."

He began to make little thrusts then, flicking his tongue in between her lips teasingly to mirror the movements below.

"Mmmm, Alexander … more …"

He pressed hot kisses down her throat and along her collarbone before moving back and sliding a questing finger in between her thighs. He watched her face, contorted now in bliss as he pleasured her, feeling her body begin to tremble and seeing the first flush of orgasm spreading across her skin. He began to thrust harder as she clenched round him, and she cried out his name in rapture as she drifted slowly back down to earth.

The feel of her spasming round him was enough to tip him over the edge, his hips jerking erratically before he finally spilled into her with a groan of satisfaction.

"Sweet Jesus … so good … yeeesss …"

He buried his face in her neck and she stroked his hair, feeling his heart pounding and the rapid raise and fall of his chest. After a while, he flopped onto his back and she moved onto her elbow, gazing down at him with a contented smile. Her face fell when she saw the look of pain in his eyes.

"What have I done, Sophie? You were under my protection and I've taken advantage you, given into my baser instincts."

She bit her lip guiltily, stroking little teasing circles on his chest.

"Actually, I think you'll find that I took advantage of you, Sir. I wanted you and I resolved to have you, whatever the consequences."

His eyes widened in surprise.

"You mean … you planned this all along?"

She smiled seductively at him.

"Let's just say I was waiting for an opportunity. To be fair, you did put up a spirited resistance, but I can be very determined."

He shook his head in disbelief, but his lips were twitching in amusement.

"A brazen hussy, is it? Well, I hope it was worth it."

She dipped her head and captured his lips in a tender kiss, her eyes shining.

"It was wonderful. I've never … you know …felt like that before. At least, not with a man."

He looked surprised, and she blushed prettily.

"Did your husband never tend to your needs, then?"

She shook her head and he felt a shudder run through her.

"That inconsiderate bastard? He used me like a plaything, took his own selfish pleasure at my expense. I learnt to please myself in private afterwards."

Her colour deepened, and she searched his eyes for reassurance.

"Is that sinful?"

He chuckled, pulling her down for another kiss.

"You're asking the wrong man, love. My right hand and I have become very well acquainted in recent years, believe me."

She took his hand in hers and kissed the palm tenderly, scenting traces of her earlier arousal on his fingers.

"I suspect I may well have other plans for it in the future."

Holding his gaze, she took a finger into her mouth and sucked on it brazenly, thrilling to the look of blatant desire in his eyes. She squealed in surprise as he pushed her onto her back and spread her thighs, moving in between them before pinning both hands above her head. He was already hard again, and he rubbed himself against her, watching with a wicked grin as she writhed beneath him in frustration.

"Tease me would you, woman? Well, two can play at that game."

She was already panting with desire and desperate to feel him inside her again.

"Alexander … oh please … I want you …"

He took her to the heights of ecstasy for the second time, and afterwards she fell asleep in his arms, exhausted, content and blissfully happy.

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